You’ve probably heard of the 4 Ps of marketing—product, price, place, and promotion. But when it comes to launching the most important product of all (your career), it’s time for a remix.

Enter the 4 Ps of Getting Hired, your modern job search toolkit for breaking through resume bots, AI screenings, and black-hole job portals. Whether you're a recent college grad or early-career professional, these four pillars will help you stand out, get noticed, and land a job that actually fits your experience and interests.

1. Presence: Craft Your Personal Brand

Your presence is your personal brand, online and in real life. Sure, AI scans your resume. But it’s your story that gets you hired.

Build a standout presence by:

  • Writing a sharp, keyword-rich resume tailored to each role

  • Optimizing your LinkedIn to sound like you, not a robot

  • Creating a clear, confident narrative about who you are and what you want

  • Drafting an attention-grabbing cover letter to show personality, purpose and relevancy

A polished online presence doesn’t just help with applicant tracking systems (ATS), it builds real trust with hiring managers and those in your network.

2. Positioning: Apply with Intention

Stop sending the same resume to 50 jobs. Strategic job seekers know what they want and position themselves for it.

Smart positioning means:

  • Targeting roles that match your strengths, interests, and values

  • Tailoring your messaging to what companies actually need

  • Connecting your personal “why” to the employer’s mission and needs

  • Understanding how your skills solve problems for the business

With guidance from a career coach, you’ll uncover your unique value and how to position yourself for maximum impact.

3. Preparation: Ace the Interview

The interview isn’t just about answering questions—it’s about owning the room (even if it’s virtual). Great candidates don’t wing it. They prep like pros.

How to prepare:

  • Perfect your elevator pitch and behavioral interview answers

  • Learn how to tell your story with confidence, comfort and clarity

  • Prepare examples that highlight both hard and soft skills, tailoring them to the role 

  • Familiarize yourself with the company and role and come armed with curious questions to demonstrate intent and interest

  • Know how to follow up, negotiate, and close the deal

You don’t have to be perfect. Instead, aim for focused, authentic, and ready.

4. People: Build Real Connections

Your network is your superpower. Referrals, mentors, advocates—people hire people, not resumes.

Effective networking for young professionals:

  • Tap into alumni networks, peers, and past work colleagues and managers

  • Reach out for informational interviews

  • Ask for referrals the right way, unlocking real recommendations that get you noticed

  • Use LinkedIn to expand and engage your network authentically by connecting, sharing content and engaging with companies you admire

Most jobs aren't posted; they're shared by internal advocates with those they know (aka, the hidden job market). Building genuine relationships opens doors that job boards can’t.

Why It Matters

The job market has changed. AI can scan your resume, but it can’t tell your story, showcase your personality, or build your network for you.

Our expert Early Career Coaches help recent grads and early-career professionals navigate today’s challenging job market with confidence, strategy, and a human touch. Whether you need resume help, interview prep, or job search strategies and tactics, we’re here to help you land a job you’ll actually love.

 

Ready to level up your job search?

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